CHARLOTTE – Safety Haruki Nakamura, the only member of the Panthers' secondary to start all 13 games this season, has been placed on injured reserve with a season-ending groin injury suffered in Sunday's victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Nakamura is the fourth full-time defensive starter to go on IR, joining linebacker Jon Beason, cornerback Chris Gambleand defensive tackle Ron Edwards. He sustained the injury while trying to make a touchdown-saving tackle of Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones in the fourth quarter.

Carolina filled Nakamura's roster spot by signing safetyAnderson Russell from the practice squad and added defensive back Kamaal McIlwain to fill Russell's place on the practice squad.

you people are sick that are cheering about him going to the IR. Yeah he is a terrible player and I want to see less of him and more of Campbell but don't cheer somebody's injury. I guess this is the end of his days in Carolina though

Nakamura played a huge role in this disaster of a season, but even so I don't feel good about him being injured. All the terrible players who ruined this season should be sent packing, and Naka should be the first to hit the bricks.